to be sure

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression 'to be sure' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize agreement or to stress the certainty of something. For example: "I think the sky is blue - to be sure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To be sure.

The Economist

Newsworthy, to be sure.

The New York Times - Sports

To be sure, uncertainties remain.

The New Yorker

Old stuff, to be sure.

The New Yorker

Check seatguru.com to be sure.

The New York Times - Travel

Much impoverished, to be sure.

The New York Times

Weird physics to be sure.

The New York Times - Arts

To be sure, the I.M.F.

The New Yorker

"We want to be sure".

The New York Times - Sports

Terrible behavior, to be sure".

The New York Times - Books

All true, to be sure.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Incorporate "to be sure" to soften potentially critical statements. It helps in diplomatically acknowledging a point before offering a different viewpoint.

Common error

While "to be sure" is versatile, avoid overusing it in casual conversations or informal writing. Frequent use can make your speech sound stilted or overly formal. Consider using alternatives like "definitely" or "certainly" for a more natural tone in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be sure" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause or sentence to express concession, agreement, or emphasis. Ludwig examples showcase its use in introducing a point before presenting a contrasting idea. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be sure" is a versatile adverbial phrase that functions to acknowledge or concede a point before introducing a contrasting or qualifying statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in various writing contexts, particularly in news and media. While it can be considered slightly formal, its use adds nuance and sophistication to writing by showing consideration of multiple perspectives. When aiming for a more casual tone, simpler alternatives like "certainly" or "of course" might be more appropriate. Remember to use this phrase judiciously to avoid sounding overly formal or stilted. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, further solidifying its place in formal writing and discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certainly

This is a direct synonym, expressing a strong degree of certainty or agreement.

absolutely

Expresses complete agreement or affirmation.

undoubtedly

Similar to "certainly", but emphasizes the lack of doubt surrounding the statement.

unquestionably

Indicates that something cannot be questioned or disputed.

without a doubt

Emphasizes the absence of any uncertainty.

assuredly

Similar to "certainly" but slightly more formal.

admittedly

Indicates a concession or acknowledgment of something, often something negative.

no doubt

A shorter, more informal version of "without a doubt".

indeed

Confirms or emphasizes a previous statement.

of course

Implies that something is obvious or expected.

FAQs

How can I use "to be sure" in a sentence?

"To be sure" is typically used to acknowledge a point before introducing a contrasting or qualifying statement. For example, "The project was challenging, "to be sure", but the team learned a lot from the experience."

What are some alternatives to "to be sure"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "certainly", "undoubtedly", "admittedly", or "of course".

Is it more formal to say "to be sure" or "of course"?

"To be sure" tends to be slightly more formal than "of course". "Of course" is more commonly used in casual conversation, while "to be sure" is often used in more formal writing or speech to introduce a concession.

What's the difference between using "to be sure" and "rest assured"?

"To be sure" acknowledges a fact, often followed by a contrasting point. "Rest assured", on the other hand, offers reassurance or a guarantee. For example: "The task is hard, "to be sure", but we'll manage it," versus "Rest assured, your information is safe with us."